Help

Newsletter

20 in 20: Who will return kickoffs and punts this year for Jaguars?

In this photo: Jaguars wide receiver Ace Sanders (#18) runs after a catch during a mini-camp practice Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Tandon Doss

Continuing today and until the Jaguars report to training camp on July 24, I’ll ask/answer one question per day:

6. Who will return kickoffs and punts this year?

Kickoffs: Jordan Todman.

Punts: Ace Sanders and possibly Tandon Doss.

The Jaguars ranked third in kickoff return average but last in punt return average last year.

Seven players returned at least one kickoff last year, but the Jaguars quickly settled on Todman, who had 26 attempts for a 27.4-yard average. He had a long return of 59 yards.

Todman, back on the roster as the No. 2 running back, figures to get the first shot at returning kickoffs.

The Jaguars have a couple options at the punt return spot.

They drafted Sanders in 2013 and handed him the punt return duties … sort of.

With Justin Blackmon suspended the first four games, Sanders was thrust into a regular role at receiver and the Jaguars opted to keep him off punt returns to lighten his load – he had only one return in the first four games.

When Blackmon returned in Week 5, Sanders started to return punts and he averaged 5.6 yards on 25 returns. He had 16 fair catches and a long return of 17 yards.

The Jaguars still have faith in Sanders’ punt return ability but they also signed Doss to provide an option. Doss had a 15.6-yard average and an 82-yard touchdown for Baltimore last year.

The guess is that Doss was signed to provide insurance as a punt returner more than competition.

The Jaguars haven’t had a punt return for a touchdown since Mike Thomas in 2010 and haven’t had a kickoff return for a touchdown since Maurice Jones-Drew’s 100-yarder in the 2007 season.